Facing scandal and condemnation, Russia fields tiny Olympic team in Paris

Russia’s participation in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics is minimal compared to previous years, with only about 15 Russian athletes expected to compete, down from over 330 in the 2020 Tokyo Games. This significant reduction follows years of doping scandals and international condemnation due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has allowed Russian athletes to compete only as neutrals, banning them from displaying the Russian flag or playing their national anthem. Additionally, any athlete actively supporting the invasion or with military ties is barred from competing.

Russian officials have criticized these restrictions as unacceptable. Consequently, some Russian sports federations, including judo and weightlifting, have decided not to send athletes to Paris. Belarus, a close ally of Russia, will also have a reduced presence, with only 17 athletes compared to 101 in Tokyo.

This marks Russia’s smallest Olympic involvement since its boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Games. President Vladimir Putin, who once used the Olympics to boost Russia’s global image, now sees his country’s sporting influence significantly diminished amidst ongoing scandals and geopolitical tensions.

Source: NPR